Strange Medicine (Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries #1)(27)

“Yeah. I know. But give me some credit; if I killed him, I wouldn’t call you guys and wander around with the murder weapon in my fucking hands.” I shook my head. “Not to sound like I’ve given this thought before, but I’d hide the body and get rid of the murder weapon.”

Some tension left his jaw. “If you didn’t do this, someone is going to a lot of trouble to make it look like you did.”

“If I didn’t do this?” I asked incredulously.

He winced.

“I may not be the most popular person in town, but framing me for murder…” I shook my head, staring at Ned’s lifeless body, feeling nauseated. “It makes no sense.”

“I have probable cause. I’m gonna have to bring you in for questioning.” He sighed. “You know that, right?”

“Yes.” I glanced down at my red-stained hands. “I do.”

For a split second, the Royce I knew from earlier was visible as his mouth softened. “I can’t see you doing this. I just can’t.”

“Good. Because I didn’t.”

He took hold of my arm. “I won’t cuff you.”

Shock rumbled through me that that would even be a possibility. “I would hope not.”

He gave me a stern look. “If you were anyone else, I probably would.”

I swallowed hard as panic set in. “Are you arresting me?”

“That depends.”

“On what?”

“Are you willing to talk to me?”

I grimaced, giving the body a glance and then shuddering. “Of course.”

“I don’t mean like a friend. I mean if I take you to the station and put you in a holding room, are you willing to be questioned?” His jaw was clenched.

I met his gaze squarely. “Look me in the eye.”

Hesitating, he frowned. “What?”

“Look me in the eye,” I repeated. “I’m not going to agree to be questioned until you look me in the eye.”

He leaned in, his expression confused and guarded.

I took a breath and stared deep into his eyes. After a few moments, I straightened. “Okay. I’ll let you question me.”

His cheek flinched. “What was that all about?”

I shrugged. “I think you believe I’m innocent.”

His gaze darkened. “If it was just about what I believe, there wouldn’t be a problem. But I have to go by the facts right now, Maxwell. The facts are you have a dead body in your pool and you literally have blood on your hands.”

“I’d never take another life willingly. I assume you know that.”

Frustration fluttered through his gaze. “You keep acting like I have a choice here. I have to treat you like I would anyone else.”

I lifted my chin. “Fine. Let’s go to the station and get this over with.”

He exhaled roughly and led the way to his squad car.





Chapter Eight


Royce

We swabbed the blood on Maxwell’s hands for testing, and then I put him in a holding room at the station. I paced back and forth outside the door, trying to get control of my emotions. I’d never been in this position before. I’d had to question my friends who lived in town occasionally about uncomfortable topics, but I’d never before had to sit down with a guy I was sexually involved with and try to figure out if he’d brutally murdered someone. I knew if it came down to arresting Maxwell, I should recuse myself. My feelings were too muddled. But I figured I could handle asking him some questions to figure out if it needed to go that far. It was important right now to pull up my big-boy pants and act professional.

Easier said than done.

One of my deputies, Carl, came wandering up as I sucked in a big breath and opened the door. Maxwell sat with his arms crossed and his face tense. When he saw me, his expression didn’t soften. “I don’t suppose I could get a cup of water?” His tone was curt.

“Sure.” I glanced toward Carl, and he nodded.

“I’m on it.” Carl wandered away.

I closed the door behind me and sat in the chair across from Maxwell. Scooting closer, the metal chair scraped loudly on the tile floor, and I winced. I opened my notepad and pulled a pen from my shirt pocket. “How about we start with what you did after I left your house.”

“Don’t you need to read me my rights or something?”

“You’re here voluntarily. You aren’t under arrest.”

He frowned. “Okay.”

“I’m just trying to get some information right now. You’re free to go or not answer if you want. Personally, I wouldn’t advise either.”

He sighed, his mouth slack. “I’m here, aren’t I? What do you want to know?”

“I left your house about ten. What exactly did you do after that?” I hoped my manner seemed professional. I was fighting the part of me that wanted to give him a hug and comfort him.

“I cleaned up the dishes and then went upstairs.”

“Did you hear or see anything before that?”

“No.” He bit his lower lip. “Everything seemed fine.”

“Then what?”

He lifted one shoulder. “I showered.”

“How long was your shower?”